Two KZN cops arrested for theft of Telkom cables with an estimated street value of over R260,000

DURBAN - TWO police officers and a tow truck driver were due to appear in the Umlazi Magistrates’ Court on copper theft charges on Monday morning.

The police said the three suspects were arrested in the early hours of Friday morning.

Police said two of the suspects were sergeants stationed at the Umlazi SAPS, South of Durban.

“The Umkomaas Task Team were busy tracing suspects at Umlazi W Section when they noticed three vehicles in the early hours,” said KZN provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele.

“When they got closer, they noticed a cable being dragged behind by the tow truck and they gave chase.”

Mbele said that the three suspects, aged between 29 and 44, were placed under arrest for possession of copper cables, tampering and damaging essential infrastructure.

She said the copper cables belonged to Telkom. The cables have an estimated street value of R267 486. The Hawks were handling the investigation.

“This arrest proves that no one is above the law. All rotten apples who are committing criminal activities and hiding behind the SAPS emblem will be brought to book and dealt with harshly.”

Mbele said the theft of copper cables in the province was crippling the productivity of crucial services in most companies.

“It also has a negative impact on all the citizens of this province. Operations are in place to curb the theft and damage of the essential infrastructure.”

THE MERCURY